Obituaries July 10, 2013

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Dorletha Gunn Jenkins died Sunday, June 30, 2013, at her home. She was born July 17, 1952, in Okolona to Waddell and Isabella Gunn. She was raised by her grandparents, Ozee and Suzanna Gillespie. She graduated from Fannie Carter High School. She married George Edward Jenkins Sr. on Dec. 25, 1969. She was employed at Indian Creek Apparel for 18 years. She moved to South Bend, Ind. She worked at SPX Contech until 2008, then became a full-time caregiver for her special needs daughter. She was a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church.

Services were Saturday, July 6, at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in South Bend, Ind. The Rev. Barry C. Spencer officiated. Alford’s Mortuary in South Bend was in charge of arrangements. Williams Memorial of Okolona assisted the family locally.

She is survived by one son, George Edward Jenkins Jr. (Nicole) ; three daughters, Teresa Johnson (Terry), Stephanie Spencer (Rev. Barry) and Tina Jenkins; two aunts, Mattie Donaldson and Ollie Mae Johnson; and five grandchildren.

Bette Crockett

SALTILLO – Bette C. Crockett, 74, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a short illness. A native and lifelong resident of Tupelo, she was born Feb. 24, 1939, to Delton Clay and Oceola Clark. She was a graduate of Tupelo High school. In 1955 she married David L. Crockett and together raised their family in Tupelo. He preceded her in death in 1986. Earlier in her life she worked a number of years with Terry Wood Photography but had worked many years with Mississippi Employment Security Commission as a claims specialist, retiring in 2001. An active member of East Heights Baptist Church, she was very involved in the shut-in ministry and also had helped with the church banner ministry.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, at Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Terry Ledbetter officiating. The Rev. Roger Smith will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.

Survivors include three sons, Dennis Crockett of Tupelo, and Scottie and Mark Crockett of Saltillo; two granddaughters, Ashley Crockett Reynolds (Chris) of Port Orchard, Wash., and Taylor Crockett of Saltillo; one sister, Juanita Calloway of Tupelo; and one brother, Louis Clark of Tupelo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother, Raymond D. Clark.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – George Edward “Ed” Ludlow, 75, passed away on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Haven Hospice E.T. York Care Center in Gainesville, Fla. He was born on Aug. 1, 1937, in Miami, Fla., to Luther Spencer Ludlow and Gertrude Hester Clary Ludlow. He graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1955. He received his bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Florida and master of music degree from Drake University. He then studied for a year in Copenhagen, Denmark, under the Fulbright Award. In the summer of 1970, he completed further study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

He moved to Blue Mountain with his family in 1962, where he was assistant professor of organ studies at Blue Mountain College. He became associate professor in 1966 and retired in 2001 after 39 years of teaching. In addition to teaching at Blue Mountain College, he was the organist at First United Methodist Church in New Albany and then director of music at First United Methodist Church in Ripley.

He was well-loved and respected, spending much of his free time mentoring students, visiting nursing homes and volunteering in the community. He loved to travel and visit with family, and he always had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile that made everyone laugh. He was a wonderful man and his loved ones will truly miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Luther Spencer Ludlow Jr.; and a nephew, Robin Edward Ludlow.

Serviced will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Milam Funeral Home in Gainesville, Fla. The Rev. Alex Farmer will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or online www.alz.org. www.alz.org.

Dewitt Howell

CORINTH – Dewitt Howell, 87, died Sunday, July 7, 2013, in Oxford. He was born June 4, 1926, to Frank and Lila Frazier Howell. He was a retired employee of Refreshments Inc. and a member of Foote St. Church of Christ. He served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Monterey Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific. He attained the rank of Seaman First Class and received the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal and the American Theatre Medal. He was a life member of VFW and American Legion. He loved and cherished his family and enjoyed family vacations.

Services will be 1 p.m. today, July 10, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Corinth with Ministers Blake Nicholas and Terry Smith officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in City Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bobbie Howell of Corinth; son, Marshall and Lucretia Howell of Midland, Texas; his Grandchildren, Jon Howell and Vanessa of Scottsboro, Ala., and Hollie Pennington and Sam of Southaven; and great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kodee and Callie Howell, and Samuel Grant and Shepard Pennington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to service time today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Pinevale Children’s Home Corinth, MS 388334.

Online condolence may be left at www.memorialcorinth.com.

Kit Posey

TUPELO – Kit Posey, 84, died Sunday, July 7, 2013, at her home in Tupelo. A Brownsville native, she was born June 26, 1932, to Walter and Lillie Mae Parham Banks. She retired from teaching at the Tupelo Public School with 25 years of service. She loved her family and cherished time spent with them. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues with the Rev. Don Wilemon officiating. Burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park.

Survivors include her husband of 57 years, Ed Posey of the home; one son, Kenneth Posey (Kathy) of Houston, Texas; two grandsons, Joshua Posey and Christopher Posey of Houston, Texas; one brother, James Banks (Lillie) of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; four sisters, Mary Williams, Maudine Averette and Joyce Lyles, all of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Barbara Knight of Morganton, N.C.; one brother-in-law, Wayne Junkins of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Judy Junkins; four brothers-in-law, Harold Williams, Allie Averette, Robert Knight and Jessie Lyles.

Visitation will be from noon to service time Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in her honor.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.

Willie Robinson Jr.

WEST POINT – Willie Robinson Jr., 64, died Friday, July 5, 2013, in West Point.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 12, at Pleasant Grove Pool’s Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Pool’s Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Carter’s Mortuary services in West Point is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Dave Evans Jr.

WEST POINT – Dave Evans Jr., 68, died Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in Tibbee Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Carter’s Mortuary Services in West Point is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Bryan Irons

GUYS, Tenn. – Bryan Deon Irons, 16, died Saturday, July 6, 2013.

Services will be at noon today, July 10, at Michie School in Michie, Tenn. Burial will be in St. Rest Cemetery in Guys, Tenn. Patterson Memorial Chapel of Corinth is in charge of arrangements.

Charles Miller

RIPLEY – Charles Wayne Miller, 70, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at his home in Ripley. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Ripley Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Clinton Hood

KIRKVILLE – Clinton P. Hood, 78, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn.

Frank Lee

NEWELLTON, La. – Frank Lee, 84, died Monday, July 8, 2013, at Madison Parish Hospital in Tallulah, La., after a lengthy illness. He was born in Hinds County and had lived in Newellton for the past 10 years. He was a retired plumber and pipefitter. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Chapel of Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Nettleton with the Rev. Donald Pounders officiating. Burial will be in Nettleton Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Annell Roberts Lee of Newellton, La.; two daughters, Julia Lee of Aberdeen and Tena Lee Roberts of Mt. Herman, La.; one grandson; a sister-in-law, Sharon Roberts Adams (R.V.) of Nettleton; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may sign the guest registry and send condolences to www.tisdalelannmemorial.com.

Shirley McCord

PONTOTOC – Shirley Warren McCord, 83, died Monday, July 1, 2013, at Pontotoc Health Services. She graduated from Pontotoc High School in 1949, where she was a standout basketball player. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pontotoc and a homemaker. She spent countless hours in her yard which was obvious by its beauty. In addition to her working in her flowers and yard, she was an avid professional basketball fan, especially a Memphis Grizzlies fan. She and her husband lived in Belden for many years before returning to Pontotoc.

A private sunset service was held Monday, July 1, at Pontotoc Memorial Gardens with Dr. Lewis Harrell officiating. Browning Funeral Home in Pontotoc was in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her three sisters, Mary Dean Cummings, June Hatcher and Kaye Warren, all of Pontotoc; and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carlton and Bessie Warren, and her husband, Robert McCord.

NEW ALBANY – Gracie Diane McMillen Palmer, 60, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. She was born July 27, 1952, in Union County to James Gresham and Nora Ruth Nix Gresham. She was a registered nurse employed at Regional Medical Center in Memphis. She was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church, and the TLC Sunday school class.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at Hillcrest Baptist Church with the Rev. Whit Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Vista Memorial Park. United Funeral Service in New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by her father, James Abner Gresham of New Albany; her husband, Carl Willie Palmer of New Albany; a daughter, Melissa Mabrouk (Adnane) of New Albany; a son, Bradley Palmer (Veronica) of New Albany; five sisters, Lana Holt of New Albany, Terri Caithaml of San Antonio, Texas, Jackie McClendon of Enterprise, Ala., Cynthia McMillen of San Antonio, Texas, and Patricia McMillen of San Antonio, Texas; a brother Billy McMillen of San Antonio, Texas; four grandchildren, Haley Morgan Palmer, William Bradley Craig Palmer, Zoe Grace Palmer and Anna Rylee Cherry Palmer; and her mother-in-law, Mayzell Palmer of New Albany.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Nora Ruth Nix Gresham; a brother, Jerry Wayne McMillen; and a niece, Amanda McMillen.

Pallbearers will be her nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Baptist Church.

For online condolences visit unitedfuneralservice.com.

Ruthie White

SHANNON – Ruthie Faye White, 44, died Monday, July 8, 2013, at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Agnew & Sons Funeral Home of Verona.

James Peters

TUPELO – James “Buddy” Peters, 81, died Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at Countrywood Nursing Facility in Mantachie after a long illness.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, in Jefferson Street Chapel of W.E. Pegues. Burial will be in Plantersville Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Gerald Taylor

BOONEVILLE – Gerald Wayne Taylor, 71, died Monday, July 8, 2013, at The Meadows in Fulton. He was born April 18, 1942, in New Site to Robert Taylor and Dora Clark Taylor. He was a maintenance supervisor at the Stone Container plant in Saltillo, and he owned and operated the Blue Mountain Drag Strip for 20 years. He was a member of New Bethel Church of Christ. He enjoyed building race cars, fishing, and most of all, his grandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today, July 10, at New Bethel Church of Christ with Minister Shawn Weaver officiating. Burial will be in New Bethel Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Moody Taylor; two daughters, Sonia Billiot (Wade) of Booneville and Cindy Thomas (Carl) of New Site; a son, Carl Maxcy (Sandy) of Mantachie; two brothers, Robert Taylor of Marietta and Gene Taylor (Sue) of New Site; grandchildren, C.J. LeMaster of Booneville, Brad Thomas (Amber), Athen Thomas, all of New Site, Michelle Maxcy and Brandon Maxcy, both of Mantachie; and great-grandchildren, Kayleigh Maxcy, Aven Maxcy and Drake Maxcy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Janie McCoy; and three grandchildren, Joshua Wayne Billiot, Eden Nicole LeMaster and Brett Michael LeMaster.

Visitation will continue until 1 p.m. today at the funeral home. The body will lie in repose at the church for one hour prior to the service.

Mable Kirk

PONTOTOC – Mable Berry Kirk, 82, died Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at her residence in the Algoma community. A native of Pontotoc County, she was the only daughter of eight children born to Bob and Irene Berry. She was a member of Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church, where she served in the choir, past Sunday school teacher, kitchen committee, PPR chairperson, and church mother. She was the widow of John Ollie Kirk.

Celebration of life service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 11, at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ethel Parker will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Nebo Cemetery. Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of the arrangements.

She is survived by one daughter, Classie Kilgore of Pontotoc; one son, Sylvester (Marvia) Kilgore of Holly Springs; four brothers, Charlie Berry of Milwaukee, Wis., Ottis ( Mary) Berry of Sacramento, Calif., Clarence (Bobbie) Berry and Oliver (Margaret) Berry of Chicago; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. today with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Jimmy Bray

PONTOTOC – Jimmy Quay Bray, 67, passed away Sunday, July 7, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. He was born Aug. 4, 1945, in Pontotoc to C.A. and Verdie Bray. He was a graduate of Ecru School and a retired industrial maintenance supervisor. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and taking care of his family and others. A born again Christian, he loved the Lord and his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today, July 10, at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home in Pontotoc. Bro. John Box will officiate. Burial will be in Guinn Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Nalda M. Bray; two sons, Terry “Mike” Bray (Lisa) of Shannon and Timothy “Bo” Bray of Pontotoc; one sister, Deloris Crowe (Harold) of Myrtle; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Bray Choat (Daniel) of Tupelo and Lorie Bray of Shannon; one great-grandson, Andruw; five nieces; and eight nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, C.A. and Verdie Bray; one sister, Nellie Faye Bray; two brothers, Brooks A. Bray and Billy Joe Bray.